Start with the few pages customers need first
When a first store goes live, keep the page structure tight. A customer should quickly see what you sell, what it costs, how to order, and how goods are delivered or collected. For a spaza shop, home bakery, clothing trader or phone accessory seller, the first version can be lean and still work well.
Set up the home page, a product or catalogue page, a pricing page, a WhatsApp order page, a payment page, and a delivery page. If you are serving Soweto, Alexandra, Tembisa, Durban, Cape Town, Pretoria or Gqeberha, write in clear South African English and keep the wording plain enough for mobile users.
- Home page with a short welcome and your main categories
- Products with clear names and photos
- Prices shown in Rand
- WhatsApp order button or order instructions
- Payment options listed plainly
- Delivery or collection information
Take product photos that look honest and clean
Photos do a lot of the selling, especially when a customer cannot touch the product. Use one clean background, natural light if possible, and a steady hand. In Johannesburg and other busy areas, many traders use a phone camera and still get strong results when the lighting is right.
Show the item from the front, side, and where useful a close view of size, texture, or packaging. For food items, clothing, household goods, or prepaid phone accessories, keep the image true to what the customer will receive. Avoid dark pictures, cluttered surfaces and heavy filters that hide detail.
- Use a plain wall, table, or cloth as the backdrop
- Photograph one item at a time where possible
- Include a size reference for small products
- Retake any image that looks blurry or too dark
- Save files with clear names like small-jar-red-sauce or black-tshirt-large
Write product pages that answer the usual questions
Each product page should do more than list a name. It should tell the customer what the item is, what size or quantity they are buying, how it is packed, and whether there are different colours or flavours. That helps cut down on back-and-forth messages and makes the store easier to use on a phone.
Keep descriptions short, specific and useful. If you are selling in Durban or along the coast, mention packaging that suits humid weather where it matters, such as sealed packs or items that should stay dry. Do not guess or overstate. If a product has a limited shelf life, note it clearly.
- Product name
- Price in Rand
- Size, weight or quantity
- Short description in one or two paragraphs
- Options such as colour, flavour, or pack size
- Stock note if an item is made to order or sold in limited batches
Set a pricing page that is easy to read
A pricing page helps customers compare items without scrolling through every product. It also suits traders who sell the same item in different pack sizes or bundles. Keep the layout clear so a buyer can see the price before they place an order.
List prices in Rand and match the figures on the product pages. If there are delivery charges, separate them from the product price. If you offer collection and delivery, say which areas are covered and which option applies at checkout or by WhatsApp. For tax matters, check with SARS or a qualified adviser if you need guidance for your own setup.
- Use clear price labels for each item or pack
- Show delivery charges separately if they apply
- Note when pricing changes for bulk orders
- Keep the same wording across product and pricing pages
Make WhatsApp orders straightforward
Many informal traders still close sales through WhatsApp because it is quick and familiar. A store page can support that by showing the customer exactly what details to send. The aim is to reduce confusion and save time on both sides.
State what the buyer should send: product name, quantity, colour or size, name, delivery area, and payment proof if required. If you use a WhatsApp button, place it where it is easy to tap from a phone. For spaza shops and home businesses, this is often the fastest way to handle first orders while still keeping a proper record.
- Write one clear order format for customers to follow
- Add a WhatsApp button on product and contact pages
- Explain whether orders are confirmed after payment or on message
- Keep your wording short so it reads well on mobile
List payment and delivery details without confusion
Payment and delivery pages need plain language. Tell customers which payment types you accept, when payment is due, and how delivery or collection works. If you use a driver, courier or local handover point, explain the process without long paragraphs. In busy areas such as Pretoria, Johannesburg and Cape Town, a clear delivery note can save a lot of follow-up messages.
For delivery, mention the towns or suburbs you serve, rough collection timing if relevant, and any limits on bulky or fragile items. For payments, list the options without making promises that are not set up yet. If you are unsure about legal or financial rules, check with SARS or a qualified adviser.
- Payment options listed in plain terms
- Delivery areas clearly named
- Collection instructions if customers can pick up
- Any restrictions on large, heavy or fragile goods
- What happens after payment is received
Check the store before you share the link
Before you send the store to customers, open it on a phone and read it as a first-time visitor would. Look for spelling mistakes, missing prices, broken buttons, and any page that feels hard to follow. A small test now saves repeated corrections later.
Walk through the order path from home page to product page to WhatsApp or payment page. If the site is for traders in Soweto, Alexandra or Tembisa, ask whether the wording feels natural for local buyers and whether the pages load cleanly on mobile data. Once the basics are in place, keep improving the photos, product names and delivery notes as stock changes.
- Open every page on a phone screen
- Tap each button and check where it goes
- Confirm prices match across the store
- Read every page for missing words or awkward lines
- Test the order steps with one sample product
